Ode To The Cycle Path

April 25, 2016 by Ray Morgan

Ode to the cycle path

I never thought I'd spend an evening googling gel bike seat covers. I'm not sure if I've mentioned before, but I usually shy away from exercise like kids do from broccoli. I like swimming in the estuary between June and September, and I love walking, but you'll never catch me in a gym.

But here I am, exhausted and sore from a BIKE RIDE! Me! I went on a bike ride. Only a little one, mind. I decided to dust off the bike I bought several years ago that has been squashed onto my balcony keeping plant pots and brooms company. A few days previously, my partner Jo had said "Shall we go for a bike ride Sunday?" and instead of making a face I thought no. Don't be lazy. Get off your bum, which you're always moaning about. I said "YES!" and she looked at me like she didn't quite believe me.

But I got on it, and like the saying goes, I remembered just how to do it and headed for the seaside cycle path IN THE RAIN. At this point you can imagine my thoughts of 'this was a great idea' and 'my fringe is going to look terrible now' etc etc. We cycled to Chalkwell where the cycle path officially begins, the clouds cleared and by the time we were at the casino, the sun was out and the sea was a sparkly joy. The cycle path, for those who don't know, was put in by Southend council and spans the whole seafront, from Chalkwell to Thorpe Bay. How cool is that? We stopped at the pier, around 3 miles from where we'd started.

Jo treated us to a roast dinner at The Esplanade, which was blimmin' lovely. I've been to so many wanky gastropubs that charge £12 for a roast dinner but don't take any money off if you don't want the meat. Not so here: it was £6.99 for vegetarians, we got our own gravy boats of veg gravy made to order, and you could help yourself to as much (delicious) veg and roast potatoes you wanted at the carvery. Amazing! Also, the condiments were unpoliced: no paltry portions of apple sauce or mustard in a paper thimble! I doled mint sauce onto my heaving plate with gusto.

We then went to Peter Pan's (I REFUSE to call it Adventure Island, I'm a child of the 80s) and went go karting. In hail. It was so British - we WILL go out even though the weather's rubbish! We WILL have fun despite not being able to feel our hands! My fringe was truly shot to pieces after that. Finally, we had a cup of tea with a dear friend at a booth in Rossi's, watching the huge clouds scudding by, changing the light from one moment to the next.

And then we cycled home, and I'm not going to lie, I felt brilliant for getting some actual exercise, being out in the fresh air, despite my very achey bottom. And that was our day. 6 miles of cycling, which might not sound much, but it is to me. And we also spent less than £20 in total for a whole day out. Another perfect example of how you can have fun on a budget when you live by the sea.

Maybe I'll see you on the cycle path sometime!

To read all of Ray's previous blogs please click the link https://www.leigh-on-sea.com/tag/listing/blog/ray-morgan